How to Layout your Washing Machine and Dryer to Create a Top Laundry Room Space?

Whether you like it or not you are going to spend a lot of time doing laundry, depending on the size of your family you could even accumulate a year in time spent doing laundry. So, why not make this huge, unavoidable task of the home a little easier with the perfect laundry space, let Maydone help you out here! 

First of all, let’s see what you will need for a top Laundry Room:

  1. Washing Machine 
  2. Dryer 
  3. Cabinets for detergents 
  4. Room for dirty clothes 
  5. Flat surface to fold (optional) 

Now lets get down to layout options that could work for you.

If you live small go for – Open Layout 

This form of Laundry Space is smack in between something else, could be part of your kitchen or playroom, maybe the garage. It works for homes that can’t dedicate a whole space for laundry but it can still be functional, how?

  • Create space for your laundry needs for example: add cabinets for detergents, clean or get a cover for surfaces to fold clothes on, etc. 
  • You can multitask and cook while doing a load. 
  • Go for smaller washing machines and dryer so it fits properly 
  • Pick a style and design model that mixes well with your other kitchen appliances.

When in doubt – Hide It Out 

This is great for people that do not want to be reminded of laundry when they are not doing it, and for smaller homes as well. If you have an unused closet, room, or space that can fit your appliances then create your laundry room there and forget about the hassle! 

The advantages of the hidden laundry room are in the name, no one can see it and it still has its one functional space. This can even work in mix with other spaces just hide your washer and dryer with a cabinet if you place them in the kitchen or elsewhere. 

Classic is best – The Galley Layout

This layout is one of the better recognized and most simple. Typically, laundry rooms with a galley layout are small and fitted to tight spaces. Using a small room you fit the washing machine and dryer to one side and use the other for storage, you could also add a sink for handwashing. You can also organize everything into one side with stacked washing machine and dryer sets, plus cabinets and a smaller sink. 

Make it fit you!

The most important takeaway from all these styles is to make the room work for you and your needs. So, whatever layout you choose make sure you put that before any other consideration and remember our numbers if your washing machine or dryer starts acting up

Happy Laundry Day!

What is the best washer and dryer combination for your home

There are always doubts when choosing new or renovating appliances, so let’s discover what is the best washing machine dryer combination for you home, right here. 

Getting a washer and dryer is a big investment and an important one for any home because you want it to last, get the job done without issues. 

There is a lot to consider to make sure the choice fits physically and logically to your needs, space, and home. 

Here’s what to consider when choosing your washer and dryer combination

All-in-one vs Washer Dryer Combo  

Space is one of the biggest issues for most people, if you live in a small space consider getting an all-in-one washer and dryer option. 

Take measurements, imagine the comfort, and use issues when scoping out choices. 

Is it manageable, will it take too much room from other things, because you can save space and still get functionality by asking yourself all of these before buying? 

Front vs Top Load 

This one is all about comfort and easy use, we suggest you test it out in person because it’s the only real way to know. 

A big aspect to consider because you don’t want to have to reach uncomfortably for your clothes on every wash.

Remember the washer and dryer has to work for you and washing is already one of the most hated chores in the home.  

Features vs More Features 

This is up to personal taste, what rocks your washing: high tech, eco-friendly, cool looks, etc. 

There’s plenty of choices available, get the one that makes sense for your home in the long run and call Maydone to install it. 

Stackable vs Side by Side 

One of the most significant choices you make at the time of purchasing. 

It comes down to what fits in the space you have for the washer dryer combo, that’s it. 

Does it fit? Look good? Is it easy to access? Answer these affirmatively and you’re done!

Meet the Washer and Dryer Combo Experts 

Maydone is here for your washer dryer needs, call today!

How to Prolong the Lifespan of Your Washing Machine

Home appliances like washing machines or dryers are expensive investments. Therefore, you want to make sure they last as long as possible. Here are some tips on how to prolong the lifespan of your washing machine.

Isn’t it just the best feeling to have a washing machine that allows you to do your laundry at home instead of going to a laundromat?! Washing machines used to be appliances that were made to serve you some decades but unfortunately, the lifespan of modern washers is shorter. Luckily, there are quite a few things you can do to prolong their life span and that will make sure, your appliance will last as long as possible.

1. Prevent your washing machine from getting moldy

You might think that a washing machine might be able to stay clean themselves since it manages to clean everything inside. But often detergent or fabric softeners remain in the machine and that, together with water, can serve mold as a food source. Therefore, you should clean the appliance regularly and use a disinfectant for glass and gasket. Furthermore, it is important to remove clothes from the washing machine as soon as the appliance is done and keep the door of the washing machine or dryer open when they are not in use.

2. Make sure to keep your appliances level

During the spinning cycle, the drum of your washing machine has to spin at a high speed. If the machine is unsteady, it can lead to excessive vibration that will cause damage to the appliance. Therefore, make sure that the appliance has all feet firmly on the floor and use a level to check it’s correctly adjusted on each side.

3. Do not use too much detergent

Especially newer washing machines don’t need a lot of detergents to get your clothes clean. By using too much detergent, your washer has to work harder. It could even cause an extra rinse cycle, which uses extra energy and will shorten the lifespan of your washer.

4. Don’t wash too many clothes at once

You might think, that it’s a good idea to stuff all your clothes into the washer to get them cleaned in just one washing cycle. But as a matter of fact, that is not the best idea – and we will tell you why. Firstly, clothes need enough room to move around in the drum. Secondly, too much weight in the washing machine means that the motor has to work harder. Thirdly, it could mean that your clothes are not getting cleaned properly which would result in another washing cycle. All of that will rather shorten the lifespan of your washing machine instead of prolonging it.

5. Get your washing machine checked-up regularly

Once in a while, it also makes sense to have your appliances checked from a professional. We would love to assist you with that! Our experienced technicians work every day from 8 am to 10 pm all over the GTA. To schedule an appointment, you can contact us online or call us: +1 (888) 513-0052 or +1 (289) 801-7857. They are also to help you installing a new washing machine – if you don’t feel confident installing it yourself.

How to Unclog the Drain of a Washing Machine

Is your washing machine not doing its job anymore because of a clogged drain? Here is how you diagnose and fix the problem!

Every time we use our washing machine, we put dirty clothes into the appliance and expect them to come out clean. And as long as your appliance is working properly, this will be true.

Unfortunately, with every washing cycle, dirt and soap can get stuck in the trap or the drain of the appliance. After some time this can cause a blockage which could mean that your machine won’t be able to drain the water. The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to call a plumber or a technician to get the washing machine fixed. By reading our tips, you can also unclog the drain of your washing machine yourself.

Disconnect the Drain Hose from the Washing Machine

Before you start doing that, make sure to unplug your appliance from the mains. Furthermore, you want to get the water out of the drum. To bail the water out, you’ll need to find the drain hose and disconnect it from the appliance. Don’t forget to hold a bucket underneath the hose unless you want your bathroom to be flooded.

Clean the Drain Hose and the Washing Machine Trap

Next, you want to see if there is a piece of cloth or dirt stuck in the drain. If that is the case and you can remove it, this might already solve the problem. Also, the trap can be dirty or clogged, so you want to have a look at that too. You can unscrew the trap completely and rinse it with warm water to clean it.

Use a Plumber’s Snake

If the drain hose looks clean, the problem might lay a bit deeper. To reach the clog there and to clean it, you can use a plumber’s snake. After that, it’s time to try if the washing machine can drain again. If it still doesn’t work, you will have to use chemicals.

Chemicals to Prevent a Clogged Drain

The use of chemicals is recommended if you tried all the other tips and couldn’t find the solution to the clogged drain yet or if you want to make sure to keep it working and unclogged. Therefore, you should use chemicals that includes enzymes, alkaline or sulfuric acid every other month (or every month, depending on how often you use your appliance) to clean the drain from dirt.

Be careful when using chemicals and follow the instructions given on the on their back. Try to pour a little drop first to see how the drain hose reacts to it. Usually, it should bubble or slide the dirt away. We also recommend that you protect your hands with rubber gloves while doing that. Please don’t mix the chemicals with other liquids as this can cause a reaction that can be quite dangerous for you.

If a clogged drain is not the problem you are facing with your appliance, you might want to look at the blog post where we have listed three common washing machine problems and how to fix them. If you can’t locate the problem, you can also call us or contact us online to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced technicians. It is helpful if you provide as much information as possible when calling us, such as the brand of the washing machine and the potential problem to make sure our technicians bring the right pieces for your washing machine.

Which Washing Machine Is the Right Choice for You?

Choosing the right washing machine can
be a tough choice. As these appliances are not cheap it is important that they
fulfill your needs and live as long as possible. Here are some tips before you
make your buying decision.

Different life events will require that you
decide on a washing machine. For example, if you have just moved into your first
apartment and there is no washer in your building. Or maybe your washing
machine has just broken down and you need to replace it with a newer model.

Whatever your reasons are, we understand
that there are many washing machine appliances out there and it’s hard to decide
on one.

Here are the most important things to consider when buying a washing machine.

Decide on a type of washing machine that you want to buy.

As there are different types of washing
machines that you could purchase, you should decide which one fits into your
home. The most common type is the freestanding washing machine that can be
placed anywhere near a plug socket and a connection to a drain.

If you want your washing machine to be part
of the kitchen, you should go for an integrated washing machine that is designed
to stand behind a cupboard door. Compared to the freestanding model they can be
much quieter as the noise gets buffered by the door of the cupboard.

You can also decide between getting a front-loader
and a top-loader washing machine. It can depend if you have enough space to open
a front-loader door in the room where you want to put your washer or if a
top-loader would fit better.

Another option is to buy a washer-dryer
machine that you can use for both, washing and drying. This can be useful if
you don’t have a lot of space in your home and you need to dry your clothes in
the same appliance.

Some of these appliances need to be installed by a professional
as they will be built-in your kitchen. Contact
us
if you want the help of our experienced technicians that can help you on
the same day.

Decide how much you want to spend

There are a lot of different price ranges
when it comes to washing machines. You can buy decent appliances for under $400.
Keep in mind when buying a washer that they when also each produce different
running costs (which are also influenced by the temperature that you’re
choosing when doing your laundry). These costs can be reduced if you choose a
more energy-efficient appliance. The energy ratings on new models usually go
from A+++ to A. This can be different when you decide to buy a used product.

Decide on a drum size

The sizes of washing machine drums range
from capacities of 3 – 12 kg. Most common washing machines have a capacity between
9 and 11 kg. When it comes to the size of the drum, you should keep in mind
that this also affects the cost of each run. The bigger it is – the more energy
and water will be used in each running cycle. It should be easy for you to fill
the drum up for each cycle.

And last but not least, don’t forget to
measure the space where you want to put the washer in and make sure you order
an appliance that fits. Since washing machines are heavy and bulky, you don’t
want to drag them into your house and then find out that they are too big.

If you have any questions, you can always
call us during our working hours (every day from 8 am to 10 pm) under the
number: +1 (289) 801-7857 or +1 (888) 513-0052.

How to Install a Washer or Dryer

You finally saved up in enough to buy a washer or dryer for yourself? Great! Soon you will see that doing your laundry becomes a lot less stressful than before. But before you can actually take advantage of your new appliance, you’ll need to install it.
We created this step-by-step guide to make it easy for you to install your electric dryer or washer. Anyhow, we do not recommend installing a gas dryer if you are not familiar with gas. It can be very dangerous for a rookie who doesn’t know how to detect and fix a leak. Also, keep in mind that you will be working with high-voltage when installing an electric dryer.

If you are not sure if you should really do the installation yourself, you can always call us (+1 (289) 801-7857) or contact us online to book an appointment with one of our experienced technicians on the same day.

Before installing your new washer or dryer

  • Install cold and hot water-lines if you are installing the appliance at a new place in your house.
  • Find the right place in your house and get help when placing the washer or dryer to their position. Be careful that you don’t hurt yourself when doing it. The appliance can be quite heavy.
  • Turn the electricity off before you start installing your appliances.

 

How to Install a Washer

Step 1: Connect the hoses

Firstly, you need to attach the hoses of the washer to the outlets. Make sure that you assign the hoses to the correct hot and cold connection. A lot of modern washers have some water-suppression valves. Read how to connect them in the manual of the appliance.

Step 2: Install the pipes

Connect the pipe to your laundry sink, in case you have one. Otherwise, you will have to use a standpipe (you can either get from a store or build it yourself) that you then attach to your drain system. In case you use a standpipe, you will also have to install a p-trap that protects you from dangerous gases.

Step 3: Turn on the washing machine

The last step is to turn your washer on to test if there are any leaks. Plug the appliance and look out for water on the floor. Well done, if you can’t find any – that means you have done a great job!

 

How to Install an Electric Dryer

Step 1: Reassure that the Power is Turned Off

Once again, make sure the electricity is turned off for the area that you’re working in.

Step 2: Install the Prong Cord

You should either have a three- or four-prong cord in your house. In case you have a four-prong cord, connect each wire with the matching color. The green ground wire should be attached to the dryer’s green screw. As the last step, look out that no copper strap or green wire is running from the ground to the white wire.

In case you have a three-prong cord, you have to connect the red wire from the dryer with one of the wires that are outside. The other wire from the outside has to get connected to the black wire. Last but not least you connect the wire in the center to the white wire from the dryer as well as to the ground strap.

Step 3: Hook up the vent hose & test the appliance

As a last step of the installation, you need to attach the vent hose to the duct and the port of the dryer. To do that, use the hose clamps.
The dryer is now installed. Turn the power back on and test if the appliance actually works.

How to Fix 3 Common Washing Machine Problems

A Washing machine is one of the most essential appliances in the household. Therefore, it will give you a sleepless night if something is not working correctly. 

A few years ago, back in the 1980s, a washing machine was an expensive household appliance that lasted forever – or at least, it felt like it. But things have changed since then. Washers are a lot cheaper now but come with a lower quality and less longevity. Nowadays, a new-bought washing machine has a life expectancy from only eleven years on average, less than thirty years ago. 

But the good news is: you can extend the life span of your washing machine by taking good care of it and fixing problems immediately after they appear. Here is a guide how you can fix three common  laundry washing machine problems yourself. 

But safety first! Before you get started, please make sure your washing machine is disconnected from the mains.

The Washing Machine won’t drain

One possible reason that the water won’t drain can be a clogged drain pump or hose. You can fix this yourself by removing the drain hose from the machine to clean it. Usually, the entry point is located at the back of your machine and you might need a screwdriver to get it out. To clean the clogged drain, run some hot water through it or use a stick or long object to push the blocking items out. Please ne careful so the drain hose does not get kinked or bent while doing that.

In case a clogged drain pump is not the problem, you should schedule an appointment to get professional advice.

The Washer Is too Loud

A lot of times the cause of the noise can come from objects that are trapped in between the outer seal and the inner drum. It can be a bra wire that got stuck or a small object that you forgot to take out of your pockets. First, you have to locate the object and see if you can get it out with your hands. If not you can use a flathead screwdriver, and wedge it between the inner drum and the door seal. Lever it back carefully to get more space for your hand to grab the trapped item. Once you got the item, give the drum a spin to make sure the gap between the drum and the seal is even.


You can also watch this video to see how it is done:

The Washing Machine Moves Around

A washing machine that likes to take a walk around in the laundry room can harm itself as well as the floor. And that’s why you want avoid it. Firstly, you have to make sure that your washing machine is level, for example by using a bubble level. Secondly, you can add some non-slip pads to the bottom of your machine to give it some extra grip. That will also reduce the shake. Last but not least, make sure you balance the load when doing your laundry. Instead of putting just one bulky item in the machine, add a second one to make it even. 

Learn how to fix small washing machine problems to extend the life span